Page 26 of My Rogue, My Ruin
“You are certain?”
“Yes,” she insisted. “Now stop smothering me at once, or I’ll tell every lady you dance with tonight how you were afraid of the dark and used to sleep with dolls when you were a boy.” She smiled wickedly. “And still do.”
“Point taken,” he conceded. “But you will tell me if you start to feel unwell.”
“Yes, Gray.” She smiled at the arrogant command. They sat in companionable silence for most of the ride, until Brynn noticed that Gray wasn’t wearing a mask as she was. “Where is your mask?”
“I don’t do masks.”
“Then everyone will know who I am if we enter together,” she said, her face falling. “What’s the point of going to a masquerade if you don’t wear a mask? You’re such a spoilsport, Gray. I won’t go in with you, then.”
“You can’t very well go in there without an escort,” he said and sighed. He pulled a black headpiece that looked like a horned devil and tied it into place just as the carriage pulled into the brilliantly lit and crowded Gainsbridge courtyard. “There. Happy?”
Brynn shivered at the fierce mask. She’d expected nothing more than a boring domino. “I think I prefer you without it.” She stepped from the carriage, her gloved hand sliding into Gray’s.
“This is a huge crush,” she said, looking around at all the people descending from various conveyances. She hadn’t imagined the masquerade would be this well attended. The bandithadto be here. There was no chance he’d miss an opportunity such as this, not if he truly was one of thetonas she suspected. Then again, he had been shot less than twenty-four hours ago. Maybe this was all for naught after all.
“Gainsbridge has clearly spared no expense for this event. I daresay it’s larger than last year’s,” Gray said, turning toward her. “Ready for the hordes?”
“Ready.” Brynn let the stole slide from her fingers as they entered the foyer. Gray’s eyes landed on the bodice of her dress and his brows shot to his hairline. Brynn stifled a smile at his reaction.
“Where is therestof your dress, Brynn?” he hissed under his breath. “It’s…indecent. We are leaving at once.”
However, they had already been swept into the throng of guests. Leaving now would be like fighting the current of a river. Brynn laughed, the tinkling sound drawing admiring stares from a nearby group of men. She was glad for the mask—it made her far braver than she would have normally been. She laughed again as he drew her to a nearby alcove. “Gray, this dress is the height of fashion. And we’ve just arrived. People will notice should we leave now. At least allow me the luxury of one dance.”
“Mother is going to kill me. Wait.” His eyes narrowed on her throat. “Are those…my god, you’re wearing the necklace.”
Brynn steadied her shaky nerves. She felt naked and on display with all the attention, but the truth was, it made her feel powerful, too. She lifted her chin and acknowledged a young buck she vaguely recognized. He was nowhere near as tall as the bandit, however.
She chose to ignore Gray’s remark about the rubies. “Mama will not kill you, brother dear. She’ll worship you for making her daughter the belle of the ball. One dance.”
“Fine. One dance,” he muttered. “But what were you thinking, wearing those—”
“Don’t you look lovely, Lady Briannon!” a soft female voice exclaimed, interrupting her brother’s admonishment.
It took Brynn a moment to place the voice, and when she did, Brynn turned to find herself the recipient of a warm smile from Hawksfield’s half sister. Her eyes widened in delighted surprise. With a gorgeous plum-feathered mask and matching satin dress, Eloise looked radiant. If not for her familiar voice, Brynn wasn’t sure she would have recognized her.
“Forgive me, I know it is a masquerade and we are supposed to guess who is whom,” Eloise began. “But I am afraid your hair color is quite distinguishable. And well, Lord Northridge is as tall as my brother.”
“I suppose we shall have to behave ourselves now that we’ve been made known,” Brynn said, smiling at Eloise and ignoring the silly trip of her heartbeat at the mention of Hawksfield. “It’s so nice to see you here. I missed you at your father’s ball. I was rather scattered that evening.”
“Of course. I heard about the attack on your carriage. I am so glad none of you were hurt.” Eloise smiled, her eyes fairly glittering beneath her mask. She waved a hand. “And I could not miss a masquerade. This is my kind of dance, you see?”
Brynn nodded in understanding, her heart warming with compassion. Everyone would be wearing a mask, not just Eloise. For once, she could pretend that what lay under her mask was as well formed and flawless as any other lady at the ball. Masquerades had an odd way of reinforcing one’s courage, as she herself knew. Her fingers brushed the rubies at her neck.
Eloise’s childhood accident was no secret, but her sweet temperament more than eclipsed her scarred face. Still, she didn’t often attend social functions, and Brynn had seen her only a handful of times over the years. It was sad that she hadn’t yet received an offer of marriage, but without the late duchess’s backing and her parentage in question, it wasn’t surprising.
Brynn gestured to Gray. “You are acquainted with my brother, Viscount Northridge?”
“Of course,” Eloise said, a smile in her voice as Gray dipped into a polite bow, pressing a kiss to her gloved hand. “Back from London?”
“Only for a short while to protect my young sister from disgracing herself, it seems,” he growled with an ill-concealed glower.
Brynn ignored the barb. “We were just discussing dancing partners, and what it does to a girl’s reputation if her brother makes her hold up a column all evening long.”
“A thing that I am much aware of.” Eloise clapped her hands as if a delightful thought occurred to her. “I have a wonderful idea. We can trade brothers if Lord Northridge will do me the honor, and you must dance with my brother. He has been in a surly mood all evening. Your appearance may yet lighten it.” Brynn and Gray wore matching frowns. Brynn guessed that her appearance would do no such thing for Hawksfield, especially not after their encounter in the woods, but Eloise seemed determined. “Yes, let’s find that brother of mine and try to convince him, shall we?”
“Convince me of what?” a smooth voice interjected.
